Past Events

Leaders in Lowell's "Virtual Discussion Series" was launched in April 2020 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In order to follow the guidelines from state and federal officials, we cannot hold in person events for the foreseeable future. Therefore, these virtual discussion events are a way for us to continue to fulfill our mission and connect leaders with the Lowell community.

Virtual Discussion Series with

Tara Setmayer- April 29, 2020

Virtual Discussion Series with

Deborah Lee James- April 27, 2020

Virtual Discussion Series with

Peggy Grande- April 16, 2020

On April 16, 2020, Leaders in Lowell was joined by Peggy Grande, the former executive assistant to President Ronald Reagan. Peggy discussed her career, what it was like working with President Reagan including getting to know him as a leader, and as a person, as well as his overall leadership. Through her personal stories and memories, we got a glimpse into who Ronald Reagan was as a leader and as a man. Peggy discussed her incredible career after Reagan, including becoming an author, Fox News correspondent, and working on nonprofit “World for Brexit”. We hope you enjoy this informative, enlightening, and inspirational talk with Peggy Grande.

On April 27, 2020 Leaders in Lowell had the honor of speaking with Deborah Lee James, the former Secretary of the Air Force. In this talk, Secretary James discussed her career and the lessons she has learned from years of experience in the national security field. She shared her knowledge on the most effective styles of leadership, overcoming adversity and her 5 step plan to do so, tackling sexual assault in the military, civic engagement, and much more. Her lessons, laid out clearly for anyone to follow, can be applied to not just the Pentagon, but any leader in everyday life.

On April 29, 2020 Leaders in Lowell was joined by Tara Setmayer, a CNN Political Contributor and host of political podcast “Honestly Speaking”. Tara discussed her 25 year political career which has included working as Congressman Dana Rorbacher’s Communication Director, leading the charge to get two wrongly convicted Border Patrol agents sentence’s commuted, and working as a political commentator with numerous media organizations. Tara spoke on the current state of the political world and Republican Party under Donald Trump and how the party has strayed from true Conservatism. She also discussed her wish to see a return to the pre-Trump GOP when true conservative values and character were important. Her insightful commentary on everything from COVID-19 to criminal justice reform, Donald Trump, the media and more is timely, interesting, and important.

Virtual Discussion Series with

Deval Patrick- May 26, 2020

On May 26 2020 Leaders in Lowell was joined by Deval Patrick, the 71st Governor of Massachusetts and former presidential candidate, for a discussion about his career, race relations, civic engagement, and more. Governor Patrick gave us insight into his early life growing up on the South Side of Chicago, and the lessons he learned that helped shape him into the leader he is today. From talking about the importance of mentors and compassionate leaders, to being the first black Governor of Massachusetts, our discussion with Governor Patrick provides timely insight into how citizens at all levels can participate in making their communities a better place through bipartisan leadership and involvement.

Lessons in Leadership with

Deesha Dyer - January 23, 2020

On January 23, 2020 Leaders in Lowell was honored to host a talk with former White House Social Secretary Deesha Dyer. In her time with the Obama Administration, she planned state visits, official ceremonies, private events, and numerous other functions on the White House campus. Throughout the evening Deesha shared a variety of stories, both humorous and more serious, detailing her life and career leading to, during, and after her time at the White House, as well as how she personally managed all the stress and tried to maintain a happy and healthy personal life. From hip-hop writing to organizing a 12,000 person event for the Pope, Deesha was engaging, informative, inspirational to all who attended to follow their heart and do what’s best for both themselves and for those around them. Read more about the event here

Lessons in Leadership with

Rena Finder - June 26, 2019

Lessons in Leadership with Rena Finder took place on June 26th 2019 with Rena Finder, a survivor of the Holocaust and one of the youngest saved by Oskar Schindler. Ms. Finder was born in Poland in 1929 and her family was later moved to the Krakow Ghetto before she was transported with her mother to the Plaszow concentration camp and later Auschwitz-Birkenau. She was saved from an almost certain death by the Nazi-businessman Oskar Schindler who saved over 1,200 Jews during the second world war. She gave a very moving and emotional talk on the horrors of her experience as well as the kindness she was shown by people and the immense effects that it had on her life and survival. The emphasis on the key values of kindness, tolerance, and the fact that, underneath, we are all the same and all deserve fair treatment and happiness. The message could not have been clearer, we must all live our lives and treat others with kindness and that there is never any excuse to be a bystander. It was a truly moving and unforgettable experience with a message that should never be forgotten.

Women in Leadership April 4, 2019

On April 4, 2019 Leaders in Lowell was honored to host a panel on women in leadership, featuring a distinguished group of panelists, CEO of Community Teamwork Karen Frederick, Enterprise Bank Vice President Bopha Malone, The Wonderfund CEO Erin Murphy-Rafferty, and former Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift. This wonderful group of leaders offered their insights into many topics including the barriers of being a woman in the workplace, collaboration between nonprofit, business, and government, the value of mentorship, their own personal journeys and experiences with leadership, and more. This event was hosted at the Middlesex Community College Richard and Nancy Donahue Family Academic Arts Center and was made possible thanks to the Merrimack Repertory Theatre. Photo credit goes to Mr. and Mrs. Drew Photography.

Lessons in Leadership with Marty Meehan - October 3, 2018

University of Massachusetts President and former Congressman Marty Meehan joined Leaders in Lowell on October 3, 2018 to discuss the importance of an affordable education and how to achieve it, his experiences with various styles of leadership, and more. He was joined by President Emeritus Jack Wilson and Vice Chancellor Joanne Yestramski to discuss the overwhelming importance of education in today’s rapidly advancing workplace. This event was hosted at the Perry Auditorium of the Saab building at UMass Lowell and was made possible by the UML Manning School of Business.

Lessons in Leadership with Rufus Gifford - May 11, 2018

Leaders in Lowell was honored to host former Ambassador to Denmark Rufus Gifford on May 11, 2018 to discuss his personal journey in leadership. We discussed various styles of leadership, his experience being an ambassador and reality TV star in Denmark, and all of the life experiences that helped lead him to being a successful leader. This event was made possible by Plumchoice, the Andover Forum, and Molly Zimmermann.